Forum Archive: Posts by: mizrachi

I own my apartment in a park slope coop and live next door to the super, his wife, their two kids and, frequently, the wife’s sister’s kid. The kids are often out of control, running and jumping and screaming. It’s an old building and the gaps in the walls and in the floors make it so that we not only hear every sound but feel it as well. Our ceiling shakes when they jump.

On weekends, the super often has company, which we also hear.

Additionally, the wife smokes out of her window, which we smell in our bedroom.

The neighbor on the other side of this apartment also has noise issues with them. We have both complained at various times to little end. When I’ve talked to the super’s wife, asking her to to address the issue, she has made some effort and it’s quiet until the next time. But it’s quite clearly a learned thing as the Super’s wife screams as loudly at the children as they do and as a long term solution I don’t know how effective my complaints will be.

When I moved in, years ago, another super lived there and we had no problems. I sublet for a few years and was told by my tenants of the noise coming from them. In fact, two of my tenants over those years moved as a result, costing me a month or two in missed rent.

As an owner, what recourse do I have aside from continually asking them to be more considerate? It’s gotten to the point where it’s making me angry. Do I have any legal options? I am not going to move nor can I afford to insulate the shared walls and floors.

Please help!

We live above the laundry room and can very clearly hear the chatter beneath us! Which means, anyone in the laundry room can hear us just as clearly. I think they’re some gaps by the riser and radiator in our apartment. What steps can we take to sound proof this area in our apartment?